This blog deals with my search for truth and meaning in life - poems I've written over the years, essays, thoughts on the nature of reality and short stories as an outlet for my creativity and spirituality, as well as other words of inspiration that I would like to share. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is one of my favourite books. The Seagull is the source of my inspiration. I hope you enjoy it!

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

“They are saying in the Flock that if you are not the Son of the Great Gull Himself”, Fletcher told Jonathan one morning after Advanced Speed Practice, “then you are a thousand years ahead of your time.”Jonathan sighed. The price of being misunderstood he thought. They call you devil or they call you god. “What do you think, Fletch? Are we ahead of our time?” A long silence, “Well, this kind of flying has always been here to be learned by anyone who wanted to discover it; that’s got nothing to do with time. We’re ahead of the fashion, maybe. Ahead of the way that most gulls fly.”“That’s something,” Jonathan said, rolling to glide inverted for a while. “That’s not half as bad as being ahead of our time”.Richard BachJonathan Livingston Seagull

Friday, April 2, 2010

Characteristics of a Spiritual Master

This isn't one of mine :-), but I liked it so am sharing it here. Happy Easter everyone!From: http://www.umsonline.org/Reading/PastIssues/2004/Summer04/Articles/CharacteristicsMaster.htm

* A Master expresses and is sensitive to beauty in all forms.

* A Master never directs attention to himself. He is egoless.

* A Master has respect for all members of the Nature kingdoms.

* A Master’s very presence radiates power.

* Unconditional love is a basic quality of a Master. A Master never judges, is always impersonal, detached and yet compassionate.

* A true Master is a Master of Wisdom. His understanding of life and Cosmic laws far exceeds those of the average person.

* A Master, though possessing some or all spiritual and psychic powers renounces their use except for emergencies and urgencies. He, therefore will hardly ever reveal to anyone that he has them.

* A Master never commands he simply suggests, he never instills fear but awakens courage. He never makes you feel bad about yourself; on the contrary, he helps you build self-esteem.

* As a rule, a Master never predicts a person’s future and he never flatters the human ego.

* A Master will always lead and direct you to the ultimate goal. Though he may teach the lower laws, truths and forces applicable to the improvement of mundane life, he will not place too much emphasis upon them, instructing that the phenomenal world is nothing but a dream and is illusory from the absolute perspective.

* A Master seldom speaks of his past, himself, his background, etc., unless it is pertinent and useful as illustrations in the conveyance of spiritual teachings to others.

* A Master is universal and non-sectarian in his attitudes. He sees all men as an expression of the Supreme, regardless of their religious leanings, their color, race, sex, etc.

* A true Master is creatively original. Being enlightened by his own divine essence a Master would teach or even write books directly from his heart and own experience. He would never plagiarize the work of another or teach things that are outmoded.

* Masters do not argue. They know that no amount of argument would convince the skeptic, and to those who are true seekers no argument would be necessary.

* A Master embodies most, if not all, of the divine virtues.

* Although compassionate, a Master never sympathize with the feelings of the human ego for he does not recognize imperfection. He is simply aware of the perfection of God indwelling in the divine spark within microcosmic man.

* A Master has no longer any egoic desires, he no longer functions from the personality level; he has long given up his human will in favor of the expression of the Divine Will of God.

* A true Master does not hasten a student’s psychic growth prematurely by any “transference” of power. He always predominately concentrates upon raising the consciousness, improving character, spirituality, and increasing the wisdom and the understanding of his students.

* A Master never judges the outer person of others but looks into the depths of their soul for value.

* A Master never makes others feel guilty in any way.

* Although detached, impersonal, and sometimes seemingly aloof, a Master is full of affection for his chelas (students).

* A Master appreciates every small service that is offered to him and the great work of manifesting the Divine Plan.

Perhaps one of the most outstanding and admirable characteristics of Spiritual Masters is that they do not consider themselves Masters. This is their humility. They know that they still have a considerable amount of things to master and learn. They are so aware that they are still undergoing the learning process that they are embarrassed to call themselves “Masters” or have anyone else call them that. In performing their divine and spiritual duties Spiritual Masters declare: “It is not I that works but the ‘Father’ within me.”